Higher Education - Access to HE

If you’re keen to study higher education but don’t have the necessary qualifications or experience, don’t worry. In just 12 months, our Access to Higher Education (HE) programme will get you ready for degree-level study, either at B&FC or at another education institution.

What are the entry requirements?

You just need to have 3 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, including Maths and English. If you don't have either Maths or English you can study one alongside the Access course if required. If you don't have these qualifications, please see our alternative course below.

What will it cost?

Depending on your circumstances you may not have to pay course fees – check our Tuition Fees for Further Education. If you do have to pay fees, you could be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. And if you go on to successfully complete a degree course, your Access to HE fees will be automatically refunded.

Find out more

For start dates, click on the relevant pathway above. For anything else, or to discuss your suitability for this course, please contact Course Enquiries on T 01253 504 343 or email the Programme Leader: debbie.hobdayshipton@blackpool.ac.uk

NO QUALIFICATIONS?

If you want to do an Access to HE course in either Nursing and Midwifery or Social Sciences but you don't have the qualifications outlined above, we offer a 1-year course that leads directly onto either of these. You must be 19 or over and if you don't have at least a grade 4 (previously grade C) in GCSE Maths and English you will need to sign up for both of these too. The course runs for 6 hours on Wednesdays at our University Centre and covers Human Physiology, Psychology and Sociology. Assessment is by coursework only - there are no exams. Find out more about the course and available funding by contacting Martin Cranshaw: T 01253 504 475 E martin.cranshaw@blackpool.ac.uk

“I’d always been fascinated by science and technology”

Forty-two-year-old Ricardo Prada left school to begin a series of manual jobs until back problems and surgery forced him to quit work and to reconsider his future.

“I’d always been fascinated by science and technology,” Ricardo explains, “but I knew I’d need to have qualifications to get a career in this area and I couldn’t even remember what I’d got at school.”

He took GCSEs in English, Maths and Science, followed by the one-year Access to HE course and is now in his second year of the FD/BSc (Hons) Human Biosicences.

“I’m really enjoying it,” he says. “The tutors are great – they’ve been through it all so you learn so much.”

Ricardo’s keeping his options open about what to do for a career. He goes on:

“I’m hoping my work placement will spark some ideas but I like the idea of working in a hospital path lab. I want to make a difference and make my children proud.”